I carry a pocketknife--I live in a city, with very few country folks or outdoorsmen types here and sometimes I get funny looks from people who see me using it.
For the last two years or so, the knife I've carried is a yellow-handled benchmade and although I still get the occasional puzzled reaction from onlookers, the yellow handled knife seems to get fewer negative reactions than a traditional knife and people seem to be more accepting of the explanation that "Oh, its just a utility knife--I've had one in my pocket since I was a little boy."
Because of a recent close-call, I've been thinking a lot about "what things would look like to a jury" if I ever had to defend a criminal or civil action in connection with a home defense shooting. Would the yellow knife concept apply and if so, would it have a meaningful impact?
This is a serious poll-before you dismiss it as being silly or stupid remember that billions are spent on image and advertising and it is because appearances count. I'm just not sure if they count in these circumstances.
So here is the poll--let's assume a jury of anti-gun California types are looking at three 12 gauge shotguns, all identical, except:
All things being equal, which one looks more like a "home defense" gun and be consistent with your "I'm a homeowner defending my family" argument that will be raised as your defense?
Again, this isn't a question about what to say or what to do in any scenario--this is a on the same facts, which gun do you want the prosecutor to hold up as he paints you as some kind of gun-freak psychotic who killed an "innocent" intruder... ?
Let's also assume that this shotgun has no purpose for you except home defense (it isn't for hunting, your LEO or military job, end-of the-world or anything except home defense).
For the last two years or so, the knife I've carried is a yellow-handled benchmade and although I still get the occasional puzzled reaction from onlookers, the yellow handled knife seems to get fewer negative reactions than a traditional knife and people seem to be more accepting of the explanation that "Oh, its just a utility knife--I've had one in my pocket since I was a little boy."
Because of a recent close-call, I've been thinking a lot about "what things would look like to a jury" if I ever had to defend a criminal or civil action in connection with a home defense shooting. Would the yellow knife concept apply and if so, would it have a meaningful impact?
This is a serious poll-before you dismiss it as being silly or stupid remember that billions are spent on image and advertising and it is because appearances count. I'm just not sure if they count in these circumstances.
So here is the poll--let's assume a jury of anti-gun California types are looking at three 12 gauge shotguns, all identical, except:
- one has a wood stock
- one has a black stock
- one has a yellow stock
All things being equal, which one looks more like a "home defense" gun and be consistent with your "I'm a homeowner defending my family" argument that will be raised as your defense?
Again, this isn't a question about what to say or what to do in any scenario--this is a on the same facts, which gun do you want the prosecutor to hold up as he paints you as some kind of gun-freak psychotic who killed an "innocent" intruder... ?
Let's also assume that this shotgun has no purpose for you except home defense (it isn't for hunting, your LEO or military job, end-of the-world or anything except home defense).